Back-to-troop shoppingSpecial book sale
Through Saturday, Nov. 2, pick up The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting for just $17 (save $5.50) or the Adult Journey Book Set for $13 (save $2) at council stores.New in the shop
Fill all your Girl Scout needs with our gadgets and gizmos. Be prepared for overnight adventures with a hand-crank flashlight and Garden Trails Compass, both in cute nature designs. Our Stash-n-Go Backpack, perfect for busy leaders on the go, folds into a small pouch. Keep girls entertained on car trips with our magnetic activity sets, stored in compact tins for easy transport. View items online. Contact: Kathy Hudson, (619) 610-0737

Teen topics
Cadettes-Ambassadors: Log on to Facebook and “like” GS Teen Café, our space just for Girl Scouts in grades 6-12. Share and connect with other girls, stay updated on opportunities for your age level, and raise awareness and support for your passions and projects. (While parents and leaders are welcome to join and see what it’s all about, we ask them to respect this girl-only space and refrain from commenting on posts.) Contact: Steph Dawes, (619) 610-0792

Grade school guru
Tips and Tools for Busy Volunteers is an interactive workshop for adults working with Daisies, Brownies and Juniors. Learn fun games to share and successful girl-planning techniques. You’ll get plenty of new ideas and helpful handouts to take home. Register for the Saturday session of your choice: Nov. 2 at our Balboa Campus, Nov. 16 at our Escondido Program Center, or Nov. 23 at our North Coastal Service Center. Contact: Iris Gerber, (619) 610-0741

Splash!
At Global Water Explorers, Saturday, Nov. 9, 9:30 a.m.-noon at our Balboa Campus, Brownies will learn about the daily lives of young girls in other countries as they discover ways to keep water clean and talk to our H2O-savvy community partners. After seeing how their sisters all over the world transport water, they’ll take on the challenge of moving it themselves. Cost: $7. Fulfills some requirements for WOW! Wonders of Water. Register by Friday, Oct. 26. Contact: Sabrina Walhne, (619) 610-0716

Sleepover time
Brownie troops: Ease into the campout experience with a winter weekend sleepover at our Balboa Campus. Join troops from across our council as you stay in cabins and try new activities under the leadership of camp staff. Cost of $20/person includes two meals. Prerequisite: One leader must have completed Let’s Camp training and have a current First Aid/CPR certificate. Register online for sleepover dates of your choice. Contact: Gabby “Star” Coburn, (619) 610-0816

Tea in the garden
Daisies and their adult guests will bring the Welcome to the Daisy Flower Garden Journey to life during Daisy Tea, Saturday, Dec. 7, 1-3 p.m. at the Escondido Program Center. Girls can wear their party clothes or Girl
Scout uniform for an enchanting afternoon filled with flowers, new friends and fun, including crafts, games, tea and the story of Juliette Low’s pearls. Cost: $6/girl, $3/adult. Register online. Contact: Anne Bader, (619) 610-0714.

Explore STEM careers
Ambassadors: Join American Women in Science in a career exploration on Saturday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the San Diego County Office of Education. Participate in a panel discussion with female scientists and engineers, ask questions over a sit-down meal, and have a chance to win great door prizes. Register online. Contact: Vicki Hurless

Ms. Smarty Plants Goes Batty for Halloween
Come to the Water Conservation Garden for a night of spooktacular Halloween fun. Check out live bat presentations, complete crafts and go trick-or-treating through the garden by flashlight. Ms. Smarty Plants Goes Batty on Friday, Oct. 25., 6-8 p.m. Free for all ages; no registration required. Older girls: Volunteer to decorate the garden or help out at the event! Contact: info@thegarden.org, (619) 660-0614

Girl Scout football night
Watch the Aztecs take on University of New Mexico on Saturday, Nov. 2, 5 p.m. at Qualcomm Stadium. When San Diego State University presents a check to Girl Scouts San Diego at halftime, girls will be able to come down to the field to participate. Cost: $5/person, plus handling fee of $10/group. Register by phone; mention that you’re calling about Girl Scout Night. Contact: San Diego State athletics, (619) 283-7378

From our sisters in L.A.
All ages: Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles invites San Diego to Girltopia: The World of Girl on Saturday, Nov. 9, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Attractions include the Sports Zone, complete with hands-on clinics and fitness seminars; the BYOU Magazine Celebrity Hotspot, where girls will meet and greet their favorite stars; The League of Extraordinary Women, where attendants can chat with female leaders from all walks of life; Authors Alley, featuring young adult writers; and the new Teen Summit, with exclusive workshops and pathways for older girls.

International Girls Day
Brownies and Juniors: Join the ladies of Kappa Delta at the University of San Diego for lunch and confidence-building exercises on Saturday, Nov. 16, noon-3 p.m. in celebration of International Girls Day. No cost. RSVP by Wednesday, Nov. 6. Contact: Sam Khajenoori

Come with a mission — leave with a memoryWreaths Across America organizes annual ceremonies at Fort Rosecrans and Miramar national cemeteries. At this year’s wreath-laying event, Saturday, Dec. 14, 9 a.m.-noon, remember fallen heroes, honor those who serve, and help future generations learn about the sacrifices made by veterans and their families. Volunteer for wreath cleanup on Saturday, Jan. 11. To register, contact Teri Simas by Sunday, Dec. 1 with preferred location and number of participants.

Budding actresses: Study your passion
Girls age 13-18: Try out a unique, exciting 10-day theater opportunity just for Girl Scouts, held Tuesday-Thursday, July 22-31, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Passport to Broadway will combine choreography, voice and acting to broaden your knowledge of performance studies and increase your competitive ability as a serious actress-in-training. At the end of the course, students will participate in an original “Broadway” show for a select audience of VIP theater professionals. Cost: $2000. Contact: StudentsLive, (212) 220-6000

Toothy grinsKupiec Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry welcomes Girl Scouts of all ages to earn the Tooth Fun participation patch with a behind-the-scenes office tour. Daisies-Ambassadors become orthodontists for the day as they check out the latest digital tech, get the scoop on healthy teeth … and create great smiles. Contact: Cindy, (858) 255-7800

Updated

Meet-and-greet with Reyna Grande: New time and location
Join award-winning Latina author Reyna Grande at the Barra Barra in Old Town on Friday, Oct. 25 at noon for a special event presented by Adventures by the Book. Grande will discuss the life events documented in her captivating memoir, The Distance Between Us. Enjoy a Mexican food lunch, and meet the author at a book signing and Q&A. Discounted price of $30 per Girl Scout member (add $15 to include the book). Register online. Contact: Susan McBeth, (619) 300-2532

Other events/opportunities

Scare away hunger this October
We’re partnering with the Jacobs Cushman San Diego Food Bank, Metropolitan Transportation System (MTS), North County Transit (NCT) and Albertsons for Stuff the Bus, a fall food drive. Collect canned goods and other nonperishables in your community or school, then deliver them to your neighborhood Albertsons on Saturday, Oct. 26 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. MTS and NCT will carry your donations to the food bank. Earn a special patch for helping out: Volunteer opportunities are available at all 43 locations. Contact: Amanda Host, (619) 610-0781

Where in the world will you go?
Learn about the destinations travel program and read other girls’ stories, check out the 2014 listing of opportunities for Cadettes-Ambassadors, then download your application. Applications due to Girl Scouts San Diego by Nov. 1; late applications accepted until Feb. 1 for consideration in unfilled trips. Contact: Amanda Host, (619) 610-0781

Troop challenges
Dr. Lori Rappaport, licensed clinical psychologist and co-director of the ADHD Center for Success, will lead a workshop entitled Working With Challenging Girls and Adults on Tuesday, November 5, 6:30-8 p.m. at our Balboa Campus. Gain insight on ADHD and other behavioral and emotional problems, learn when a behavior exceeds the scope of a troop leader and impacts others, and find out how to manage your troop to create a healthy group dynamic. Register online.

Highest Award expos
Juniors-Ambassadors can get inspired to go for the Bronze, Silver and Gold at our Highest Award expos, held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at three locations: our Balboa Campus Leadership Center, Tuesday, Oct. 29; the First United Methodist Church of Chula Vista, Thursday, Nov. 7; or the First Presbyterian Church, Oceanside, Thursday, Nov. 14. While girls try hands-on activities in our Journey Jumpstart session and develop their knowledge of Take Action projects, parents and leaders learn about guiding girls through leadership Journeys and Highest Award projects. Recent awardees will talk about their experiences. Cost: $2/girl; adults free. To sign up, submit a troop or individual registration form (search keyword: registration) at least one week prior to event. Contact: Anne Bader, (619) 610-0714

Money Madness: Fun finances
Here’s a “cents-ible,” entertaining approach for Daisies to learn financial literacy. As girls play the Money Madness game, they’ll make decisions about earning, saving and spending money with girl and adult teams. (Troops work together, while Independent Girl Members partner with their chaperones.) Register for workshops on Monday, Nov. 11, at our Escondido Program Center; Tuesday, Nov. 12, in Florence Burnham Hall at Balboa Campus; or Wednesday, Nov. 13, at our North Coastal Service Center; 4-5:15 p.m. Contact: Robin Lemon, (619) 610-0747

Flowers, animals, art, oh my!
Girls in grades K-1 will dig into exciting activities and build new skills at Daisy’s Big Adventure! On Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-noon, Daisies will learn about caring for animals from special guests, participate in hands-on crafts and activities, and meet some Flower Friends along the way. Register online by Friday, Nov. 22. Contact: Amanda Host, (619) 610-0781

Come Clay With Us! for all ages
Sculpt your dreams at Fire and Mud Studios. Juniors and Cadettes explore their style as they sculpt a set of unique accessories, Seniors and Ambassadors try the potter’s wheel, and Daisies and Brownies let out their wild side as they mold animal masks. Return to the studio to add color to your creation at a later date, scheduled by appointment. Cost: $45/girl or adult. Register online at least two weeks before your class. Contact: Anne Bader, (619) 610-0714